I thanked her, and shoved back. When the Sergeant had finished, she said: "Now, dear soldiers, fill your pockets with those nice wheat biscuits. The Lord only knows when you will get any thing more. How I do pity you!"
The Sergeant declined, but she insisted. "You must take some. As likely as not you won't get any thing again for several days; do take some. Here, take these," (and she began to stuff them into his pockets, which she continued until she had filled them full.) "There; how nicely they will relish."
"Partner," said I, "we had better be getting back to the woods again, for the Yankees might come along and find us."
"Yes," said the lady, "do be very careful. Don't let them take you if you can help it, for you don't know how much you might have to suffer. How glad I am to help you!"
Thanking her for her good wishes and kindness, we proceeded on our way.
That lady was a noble, generous-hearted woman, and her eyes sparkled with crystals of sympathy while she was bestowing upon us those little acts of kindness. So full had she filled the Sergeant's pockets with cakes, that they rendered him uncomfortable while walking, and he was obliged to throw part of them away.
The next house that we stopped at was occupied by an elderly lady, who, when we entered, was engaged in churning. She invited us to be seated, and then said: "Have you been in the fight?"
"Yes, we were in the fight and were captured, and have made our escape."
"Dear me! how anxious I do feel about my husband!"
"Was he in the fight?"